Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the brain and spinal cord, ie. central nervous system. In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the protective myelin sheath that covers the nerve fibers and thus causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. Ultimately, multiple sclerosis can cause worsening and permanent nerve damage.
The signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary and depend on the amount of damaged nerves, but also on which nerves are affected by this disease. Some people with MS may lose the ability to walk independently or walk at all, while others may have long periods of remission without any new symptoms.
There is no cure for this disease. However, a successful diagnosis of multiple sclerosis leads to treatment that can speed recovery from the attack, modify the course of the disease and alleviate its symptoms.
Symptoms of multiple sclerosis
The signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis can vary greatly from person to person and during the course of the disease depending on the location of the affected nerves.
Motor and sensory symptoms are as follows:
• Stiffness, numbness or weakness of one or more limbs that typically occurs on one side of the body at the same time.
• The feeling of current passing through the body during certain movements of the neck, especially when bending forward (Lhermitt's sign).
Fatigue, lack of coordination and unsteady gait.
• Involuntary, painful muscle spasms.
• Unintelligible speech.
• Tingling, tingling.
Vision problems are also common:
• Partial or complete loss of vision, usually in one eye, often accompanied by pain when moving the eyes.
• Involuntary twitching, flickering and play of the eyeballs
• Extended double image.
• Loss of color vision.
Other symptoms of multiple sclerosis can be:
• Fatigue.
• Dizziness.
• Impairment of sexual functions.
• Disorders of urination and defecation.
• Sleep disorders.
• Appetite disorder.
• Lethargy and loss of will to live - depression.
• Unexplained good mood.
Causes and risk factors
The cause of multiple sclerosis is not yet known. It is considered an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues. It is not entirely clear why multiple sclerosis occurs in some people and not in others. However, it is assumed that it is a combination of genetic factors and environmental factors in which we live. So, the factors that can contribute to the development of this disease are the following:
• Age - most common in people aged 16-55.
• Gender - occurs three times more often in women than in men.
• Family history - if one of the parents or siblings has MS, the risk of developing the disease is higher.
• Certain infections and viruses - herpes virus type 6, virus that causes infectious mononucleosis, etc. are associated with this disease.
• Ethnicity - people from northern Europe get sick more often than others.
• Climate - there is a higher risk in countries with temperate climates such as Canada, the northern part of the United States, New Zealand, Southeast Australia, European countries.
• Vitamin D - low levels of vitamin D and insufficient sun exposure increase the risk.
• Certain autoimmune diseases - thyroid diseases, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases contribute to a higher risk of disease.
• Smoking.
Diagnosis of multiple sclerosis
There are no specific tests to detect multiple sclerosis. Instead, the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis is usually made with the removal of suspicion of the existence of other diseases with the same or similar signs and symptoms.
In any case, you must consult a doctor, and your doctor can refer you to:
• Blood test.
• Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
• Measurement of electrical activities of the brain - evoked potentials.
• CT (scanner) of the brain
• MR - magnetic resonance imaging of the brain.
I know one girl with that disease.. when I see her, I realized how happy I am because I am healthy